The self-proclaimed "street beat, psych pop" duo known as Phantogram have been making some serious noise over the last few years. Now backed by major label Universal Records, Phantogram released Voicesearlier this year, which many critics and fans said was their most cohessive and appealing album yet. Voices tastefully delivers well crafted catchy pop hooks with the gloss to rival any Rihanna or Beyonce smash hit.

Formed in 2007 by childhood friends Josh Carter (vocals/guitars) and Sarah Barthel (vocals/keyboards), the band (originally called Charlie Everywhere) first signed with BBE in Europe and then signed with Barsuk Records in the U.S. To date, Phantogram has released two studio albums - Eyelid Movies (2009) and Voices (2014) - four EPs, and various singles. They have maintained a steady tour schedule, sharing stages with the likes of Zero 7, The xx, Ra Ra Riot, School of Seven Bells, Brazilian Girls, and opened for M83 at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Phantogram has also been featured on several major North American festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Sasquatch, Bumbershoot, Treasure Island, Outside Lands, Firefly, and Summerfest. Needless to say, they've been very busy.

TheFirst City Festivalreturns for its second year to the Monterey County Fair and Event Center on Saturday August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th! Last year at its debut, the boutique music festival attracted more than 10,000 attendees each day and featured a line-up of over 30 bands at the picturesque coastal setting.

The line-up for this year's fest includes Beck, The National, Phantogram, Best Coast, and so many more amazing acts! In addition to performers on three stages, the festival offers other entertainment and distinctive attractions including a Vaudeville-style variety stage, plus a full carnival with rides and games.

Tickets are on sale now and includes unlimited access to carnival rides. There will also be hotel and shuttle packages available for purchase.

“If you still have some light in you, then go before it’s gone,” Angel Olsen sings on the harrowing “White Fire,” the slow-burning centerpiece of her stunning new album, Burn Your Fire For No Witness. Olsen doles out hard-won truths and tragicomic observances in a voice that splits the difference between Emmylou Harris’ sweet coo and Cat Power’s smoky drawl, sometimes coming through just above a whisper, though she can wake the dead when she wishes, reserving her power for choice moments, belting at the core of the Velvetsy “High & Wild.” The former member of Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s band seems to have poured every inch of herself into her breakthrough album, going for a full-tilt rock stomp on songs like “Forgiven/Forgotten,” referencing Hank Williams on gleeful ode to loneliness “Hi-Five” and virtually fading into the ether on beautiful songs like “Dance Slow Decades,” begging you to sit closely. Burn Your Fire For No Witness is one of the best albums of the year thus far, an emotional trip that leaves its mark.

I love being in a song's clutches, whether it's a new single by an established band or the first track from a new artist I've never heard. I know a song has grabbed me when I hit repeat immediately after its final notes wafted through my ears. I especially love it when this happens with artists with whom I wasn't familiar before. It makes me want to dig into the rest of their music, learn a bit about their history, find out where they've been all this time and why haven't I heard of them until now?

This happened with quite a few tracks I first discovered this year in the Free Downloads section of Amoeba.com. Since it's the season of "Best Of" lists and looking back at 2011, I wanted to share some of my favorite discoveries (in alphabetical order):

2 Hearts and Chemicals is a bi-coastal band featuring childhood friends Eli Lhymn (who is based in LA) and Stephen Biebel (who is based in NYC). Through the magic of the Internet they exchanged tracks created in their individual studios to produce the Coming Home EP. The title track is an ‘80s synth meets ‘90s shoegaze pop soundscape featuring female background vocals by Iameve.